The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-03-01
EXECUTION OF MRS. DRUsE.
circumstances Attending the Hang
ing of the Murderess.
Scenes Connected With the Last
Hours OF Her Life.
She Breaks Down on the ScaffoId-
An Affecting Scene.

HERKDIER, N. Y, Feb. 2S.-After services
last evening, Mrs. Druse remained up until
about 11.30 p. m. Deputy Sheriff BARLEY
Morrison, with Mr.. and Mrs. Waterman, the
death watch, induced her to lie down, and
she had about an hours quiet sleep. She
awakened with start, and upon arising be-
gan to write letters as calmly as she had at
any time during her incarceration. One was
to Sheriff Cooke, thanking him and his fami-
ly for their kindness, and the other asking
that her body be given to Rev. G. w. Powell,
and that he alone, as a minister of the gos-
pei, be present at her death and officiate at
her funeral.
The last letter written by the condemed
woman was the following to the chief depu-
ty in charge of the prisoner
HERKIMER, Feb %.
Mr.. BARLEY Md'laion:
Accept thanks for kindness for an unfortunate
woman. whose death is awaiting, no doubt, at
break Of day.
(Signed), MRS. hoXALAN DRUsE.
After writing Mrs. Druse laid down again
and fell into doZe. She was attacked with
hysteria in violent form, and it required con-
siderable effort upon the part of the watch
ers to arouse and calm her. During the
night she ate one of the heartiest meals she
had partaken Of since she was prisoner.
but did not sleep soundly at any time. One
of her first visitors this morning was Supt
Irving Terry of Onondaga penitentiary. who
brought fare, farewell sl aog iron her daughter Mary
The visit had the most exciting effect upon
Mrs. Druse. Her death watch, Mrs. Water
man, who had maintained herself admirably
throughout, was affected to tears. For some
minutes all were affected in the same man
ner. Rev. DR.. Powell visited Mrs. Druse
about a. M, and did all in his power to calm
her and prepare her for the awful moment.
She ate no breakfast, but partook of stimu-
lating medicines prepared by the jail physi-
clan.
Her counsel, II. Dwight Luce, made his
parting visit to her about 10 O'Clock this
morning, and this again upset her tempOrari-
ly, but she soon rallied and appeared as firm
and composed as any one. The company OF
the National Guard came down from Mo-
hawk at 8 a. M, and quartered in the court
house.
Mrs. Druse was exected at noon. Extra
men were posted about the jail to reinforce
the deputies who were on duty since a. M,
abont the exterior of the jail The crowd in
the village increased on the arrival of every
train, and in spite Of the extreme cold, men,
women and children stood about the streets
surrounding the jail Only the sheriff and
seven deputies, together with three physi-
clans and the twelve witnesses required by
law were permitted to be present at the exc
cution.
At 11.30 the sheriff's jury were ordered
into the Jail yard, while Sheriff Cook, the
deputies and physSans proceeded to Mrs
Mrs. Druse sat weeping. Mrs. Waterman,
her death watch, stood by her side sobbing.
Rev. DR.. Powell sat in front of her, while
her counsel, ii. Dwight Luce, Chaplain
| Durston and deputies and physicians stood
| about the door Of the cell.
| Sheriff Cook read the death warrant
| Just before the march to the gallowS was
| commenced her pulse was up to 90 To those
| who offered to assist Mrs. Druse in arising,
| Dr. Powell said she would bear herself well
and did not need any assistance. Sheriff
Cook and Under Sheriff Rice led the pro-
cession, followed by Rev. Dr. Powell and
Mrs Druse, and the physicians and depu-
ties in order. Mrs Druse was dressed in
black cashmere with lace edging on the neck
and sleeves. She wore a small shawl over
her shoulders
AT 1l42 Mrs. Druse and DIR. Powell knelt
| on the floor of the scaffold un Ter the rope.
! Mrs. Druse held her daughters bouquet in
her hand, and closed her eyes. while DR..
Powell offered prayer
After the prayer, which was long and fer
vent, she was asked if she had anything to
say, when she referred to DR.. Powell, who
thanked all those who had been kind to her
and implored all of her enemies to forgive
her, as she forgave all, and he further
| added:
81 hope that human people of our beloved
land from this dark day will sweep the law
of punishment by death into everlasting
Turning to Mrs. Druse, Rev. Mr.. Powell
said: go to thy fate, trembling child OF
sorrow. Go to thy loving Father, God. &c
to thy compassionate brother, Jesus, and tC
the side of thy angel child, who has gone be
fore. Go bravely in strength of hope and
faith that there will be place for thee some
where above these darks and dismal shad
ows. Go penitent and bleeding heart, thy
transit from earth to Heaven will be but
short and may the grace Of Our Lord Jesus
Christ, the love of God and the fellowship Of
the Holy Spirit of truth and good grace gt
with and remain with thee"
Mr.. Powers then pressed Mrs. Druse'i
hand and left the Jail yard. Deputy Mckln
ley then pinoned Mrs. Druse's arms, knees
and feet. She maintained her composur'
and was firm until Deputy Ballou put thu
black cap on her head and adjusted the rop'
when he pulled the cap over her face. Mrs
Druse moaned, cried and finally shrieked 81
loud that her voice was heard in the Jail an(
street adjoining.
Sheriff Cook gave the sign and the drol
was sprung at 11.4S The woman's bod
was lifted about three feet above the floor o
the gallows. There was but one convulsioI
or muscular contraction of the body and
then hung quiet The doctors pronounce,
her dead at 1903, but the body was lef
hanging until l214. Upon examination tn
surgeons declared death caused by stranpu
laton. Rev. DR.. Powell re-entered the iaj
yard and took possession of the remains il
compliance with her request The face o
the dead woman gave no indication she ha